Electrical appliance energy consumption control

ABSTRACT

A power control system includes at least one energy storage device each having a heat storage medium, a heater configured to heat the heat storage medium, a temperature sensor, a maximum temperature operating parameter of the device, a user-adjustable target temperature setting, which indicates a desired temperature of the heat storage medium and is less than the maximum temperature, and a controller that controls electrical energy consumption of each of the at least one energy storage device to heat the heat storage medium to a temperature that exceeds the target temperature setting and is below the maximum temperature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/695,150, filed Apr. 24, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/316,938, filed Jun. 27, 2014; nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,037,308, issued May 19, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/562,474, filed Sep.18, 2009; nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,805,597, issued Aug. 12, 2014, which is based on andclaims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No.61/151,264, filed Feb. 10, 2009 and U.S. provisional patent applicationSerial No. 61/155,690, filed Feb. 26, 2009. The above -referencedapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed tocontrolling the power consumption and energy storage rates of anelectrical appliance, and more particularly, to a way of controllingsaid rates responsive to a communication from an electrical powerdistribution system, such as an electrical power grid.

For some electrical power distribution systems, balancing powergeneration with energy demands (i.e., load) can be challenging,particularly when the electrical power distribution systems areconnected to electrical power generating systems having a variable poweroutput, such as wind power generators and solar power generators. Forinstance, wind power generators generate electrical energy outputs thatvary widely depending on the wind speeds. Additionally, the powergenerated by such systems cannot be easily controlled by adding orremoving wind turbines responsive to the energy load on the system.

As a result, variable output power generators, often generate electricalenergy that, exceeds the demand on the electrical power distributionsystems, such as during high wind conditions at off peak demand times.Such excess energy may be wasted if the load on the electrical powerdistribution system is not adjusted.

Embodiments described herein provide solutions to these and otherproblems, and offer other advantages over the prior art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to electricalappliance energy consumption control. One embodiment is directed to anelectrical appliance that is configured to receive power and a powerconsumption signal from an electrical power distribution system. Theappliance includes an energy storage device and a controller. The energystorage device includes a heat storage medium and a heater. The heateris configured to heat the heat storage medium at a heating rate. Thecontroller adjusts the heating rate based on the power consumptionsignal.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a power controlsystem configured to receive power and a power consumption signal froman electrical power distribution system. The system includes a pluralityof electrical appliances and a controller. Each of the electricalappliances includes an energy storage device comprising a heat storagemedium, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The heater is configured toheat the storage medium at a heating rate. The temperature sensorproduces a temperature signal that is indicative of a temperature of theheat storage medium. The controller sets the heating rate of each energystorage device based on the power consumption signal and the temperaturesignal corresponding to the device.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method ofcontrolling the consumption of power from an electrical powerdistribution system by one or more energy storage devices. In themethod, one or more energy storage devices are provided. Each of theenergy storage devices includes a heat storage medium and a heater thatis configured to heat the heat storage medium at a heating rate. Acontroller is also provided. A power consumption signal is received fromthe electrical power distribution system using the controller. Theheating rate is then adjusted for each of the one or more energy storagedevices based on the power consumption signal using the controller.Other features and benefits that characterize embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be apparent upon reading the following detaileddescription and review of the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an electrical appliance in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are charts illustrating an example of heating ratesettings corresponding to a power consumption signal from an electricalpower distribution system, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating exemplary heating rate settingscorresponding to a heat deficit of a heat storage medium, in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a power control system inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating exemplary temperatures of five energystorage devices of an exemplary power control system, in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling theconsumption of power from an electrical power distribution system by oneor more energy storage devices in accordance with embodiments of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an electrical appliance100, such as that illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. The appliance 100generally comprises a controller 102 and an energy storage device 104.One embodiment of the energy storage device 104 includes a heat storagemedium 106 and a heater 108 that is configured to heat the storagemedium 106.

Embodiments of the heat storage medium include liquid and solid mediums.Exemplary liquid heat storage mediums 106 include water, oil and otherconventional liquid heat storage mediums. In one embodiment, heatstorage medium is water and the energy storage device 104 is in the formof a water heater. Exemplary solid heat storage mediums 106 includeceramic bricks, rocks, and other conventional solid heat storagemediums. In one exemplary embodiment, the energy storage device 104 isin the form of a space heater utilizing a solid heat storage medium 106,such as ceramic bricks.

Embodiments of the heater 108 include one or more heating elements 110that are configured to heat the medium 106. The heating elements 110 maybe located within or adjacent to the heat storage medium 106. Theheating elements 110 can take on any conventional form that is suited toheating the medium 106. Exemplary heating elements 110 include resistiveheating elements, such as heating coils, and other electrical heatingelements.

One embodiment of the energy storage device 104 includes a power controlcircuit 112, which receives power from an electrical power distributionsystem 114. The power control circuit 112 uses the received power tooutput a power supply signal 115 that powers the heater 108. In oneembodiment, the power supply signal 115 is controlled by the controller102. In one embodiment, the heating rate, at which the heater 108 heatsthe medium 106, is dependent upon the power supply signal 115. That is,supplying more power to the heater 108 and, more particularly, the oneor more heating elements 110, results in a higher heating rate than whenless power is supplied to the heater 108.

In one embodiment, the energy storage device 104 includes one or moretemperature sensors 116 that are configured to sense the temperature ofthe heat storage medium 106 and produce an output signal 118 that isindicative of the temperature of the heat storage medium 106. The one ormore temperature output signals 118 are received by the controller 102.

The electrical power distribution system 114 can be in the form of anelectrical power grid or other off-grid system that includes a renewableenergy source power generator 120. The renewable energy source powergenerator 120 generates at least a portion of the power 122, which isdistributed by the electrical power distribution system 114, from arenewable energy source, such as wind, sunlight, rain, tides, water,geothermal heat or other renewable energy source.

The energy generated by at least some of these renewable energy sourcescan vary wildly throughout a given day. For instance, the amount ofenergy generated by wind turbines fluctuates with the wind conditions.Additionally, the demand for energy from the electrical powerdistribution system 114 varies throughout a day. At times, the amount ofenergy generated by the power generator 120 exceeds the demand forpower, such as at night. Under such circumstances, energy generated bythe generator 120 is wasted.

The power 122 is supplied to one or more of the appliances 100 and isused by the power control circuit 112 to produce the power supply signal115. The heating of the medium 106 responsive to the power supply signal115 constitutes a transformation of the electrical energy into heatenergy. Thus, a portion of the electrical power generated by the powergenerator 120 is stored as heat energy in the medium 106. This storedenergy can be consumed at a later time through the use of the heatedmedium 106.

Embodiments of the invention relate to the controlled heating of theheat storage medium 106 responsive to a power consumption signal 124from the electrical power distribution system 114. One embodiment of thepower consumption signal 124 is indicative of a desire for energy to beconsumed or not by the one or more appliances 100 receiving power 122from the electrical power distribution system 114. The power consumptionsignal 124 may be an analog or digital signal that is communicated tothe controller over a physical communication link (wire, optical cable,etc.) or wireless communication link (radio frequency, wireless network,etc.) in accordance with conventional communication methods.

In one embodiment, the power consumption signal 124 is indicative of arate at which the electrical power distribution system 114 desires thatenergy be consumed. For instance, when the load on the system 114 is lowrelative to the energy being generated by the renewable energy sourcepower generator 120, the power consumption signal 124 may indicate adesire for energy to be consumed by the one or more appliances 100. Theenergy consumption signal 124 may also indicate a desire for energy tobe consumed even when excess energy is not available, such as during offpeak periods when the system 114 can sustain a higher level of energyconsumption. Additional embodiments of the power consumption signal 124will be described below.

One embodiment of the controller 102 includes one or more processors,such as microprocessors, that are configured to execute programinstructions stored in a memory 126, such as a tangible computer storagemedium (e.g., RAM, ROM, flash memory, etc.) to perform embodiments ofthe invention described below. The controller 102 may comprise one ormore controllers that are remote from and/or components of the energystorage device 104.

In one embodiment, the controller 102 is configured to receive the powerconsumption signal and adjust the heating rate at which the heater 108heats the medium 106 responsive to the power consumption signal 124. Theterm “heating rate” as used herein corresponds to the amount of energythat is supplied to the heater 108 of the appliance 100. That is, anincrease in the heating rate means that there is an increase in theamount of electrical power that is supplied to the heater 108, and adecrease in the heating rate means that there is a decrease in theamount of electrical power that is supplied to the heater 108.

The heating rate adjustment can be accomplished in many different ways.In one embodiment, the controller 102 communicates a power settingsignal 127 to the power control circuit 112 and/or the heater 108, whichcontrols the heating rate of the heater 108. The power setting signal127 may be communicated over a network, through a physical communicationlink, through a wireless communication link, or using another suitableconventional data communication technique.

In one embodiment, the controller 102 adjusts the power supplied to theheater 108 by the power control circuit 112 responsive to the powerconsumption signal 124. In one embodiment, the controller 102 adjuststhe duty cycle of the power signal 115 provided to the heater 108 fromthe power control circuit 112 responsive to the power consumption signal124. Thus, the controller 102 may increase the duty cycle of the powersignal 115 resulting in greater power consumption by the heater 108 whenthe power consumption signal 124 indicates a desire for an increase inconsumption of the power 122 distributed by the system 114. This resultsin an increase in the heating rate at which the heater 108 heats themedium 106. Likewise, the controller 102 may decrease the duty cycle ofthe power signal 115 reducing power consumption by the heater 108 whenthe power consumption signal 124 indicates a desire for a decrease inconsumption of the power 122 distributed by the system 114. This resultsin a decrease in the heating rate at which the heater 108 heats themedium 106.

In accordance with another embodiment, the controller 102 adjusts theheating rate at which the heater 108 heats the medium 106 by selectivelyactivating or deactivating the heating elements 110. The heating rate isincreased by activating one or more additional heating elements 110 andthe heating rate is decreased by deactivating one or more heatingelements.

In accordance with one embodiment, the heating rate of the heater 108 isadjusted using a combination of an adjustment to the duty cycle of thepower signal 115 and the activation or deactivation of one or more ofthe heating elements 110.

In one embodiment, the power consumption signal 124 comprises a valuewithin a range of values, such as, 0-5, 0-100, or other suitable range,which indicates the desirability for energy consumption by the appliance100. For instance, a power consumption signal representing one end ofthe range of values, such as 0, may be output from the electrical powerdistribution system 114 when the system 114 is under high load and/orlittle energy is being generated by the generator 120 to indicate astrong desire that little to no energy be consumed by the appliance 100,while a power consumption signal 124 representing the other end of therange of values, such as 100, may be output from the system 114 when thesystem 114 is under a low load and/or a large amount of energy is beinggenerated by the generator 120 to indicate a strong desire for energy tobe consumed by the appliance 100. Values between the extremes of therange of values, such as between 0 and 100, can be used to indicateenergy consumption desires that are proportional to their relationshipto the extremes of the range of values represented by the powerconsumption signal 124.

In one embodiment, the controller 102 adjusts the heating rate of theheater 108 responsive to the value represented by the energy consumptionsignal 124. The heating rate adjustment can be a direct setting of theheating rate to a percentage of the maximum heating rate of the heater108 responsive to the value represented by the energy consumption signal124, or a delta increase or decrease responsive to the value representedby the energy consumption signal 124. FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating anexample of the heating rate (i.e., percentage of the maximum heatingrate) of the heater 108 that is set by the controller 102 responsive tothe value (0-100) represented by the power consumption signal (PCS) 124.In FIG. 2, the value 0 indicates a low desire for energy consumption andthe heater 108 is deactivated by the controller by setting the heatingrate to 0% (as shown). In another embodiment, the controller 102 doesnot increase the heating rate of the heater 108 responsive to a powerconsumption signal 124 representing the value 0 or equivalent, and theheater 108 maintains normal operations. In one embodiment, as the valuerepresented by the power consumption signal 124 increases, thecontroller 102 increases the heating rate of the heater 108. Theincrease in the heating rate may be linear, as shown in FIG. 2.

Alternatively, the controller may adjust the heating rate of the heater108 non-linearly responsive to the value represented by the powerconsumption signal, an example of which is illustrated in the chart ofFIG. 3. In one embodiment, certain ranges of the values represented bythe power consumption signal 124 are mapped to a plurality of presetheating rates (percentage of the maximum heating rate). The controller102 adjusts the heating rate of the heater 108 to the present heatingrate that corresponds to the value represented by the power consumptionsignal 124. In one embodiment, the mapping of the preset heating ratesis stored in the memory 126, as indicated at 132 in FIG. 1. Thecontroller compares the value represented by the power consumptionsignal 124 to the mapping 132 to extract the corresponding heating rateand sets the heating rate of the heater 108 accordingly. For instance,the preset heating rates 132 may include a deactivated state when thevalue represented by the signal 124 is in the range of 0-10, a settingof 30% of the maximum heating rate when the value represented by thesignal 124 is in the range of 10-40, a setting of 60% of the maximumheating rate when the value represented by the signal 124 is in therange of 40-70, and a setting of 90% of the maximum heating rate whenthe value represented by the signal 124 is in the range of 70-100. It isunderstood that the example of FIG. 3 is merely for illustrationpurposes and that more or less preset heating rates 132 may be used.

One embodiment of the appliance 100 includes a target temperaturesetting, which indicates the desired temperature of the heat storagemedium 106. In one embodiment, the target temperature is accessible bythe controller 102. In one embodiment, the memory 126 includes thetarget temperature setting, as indicated at 134. In one embodiment, thetarget temperature is set by the user of the appliance 100. In oneembodiment, the controller 102 adjusts the heating rate of the heater108 responsive to the target temperature, the temperature signal 118output from the one or more sensors 116, and the power consumptionsignal 124. In accordance with one embodiment, when the powerconsumption signal 124 indicates that it is desirable for the appliance100 to consume energy, and the temperature signal 118 indicates that thetemperature of the heat storage medium 106 is less than the targettemperature, the controller 102 increases the heating rate of the heater108.

In one embodiment, a heat deficit is defined as the difference betweenthe temperature of the heat storage medium 106 and the targettemperature. Such a heat deficit is indicative of an amount of energythat a user desires to consume with the appliance 100. In oneembodiment, the controller 102 adjusts the heating rate of the heater108 based on a combination of the power consumption signal 124 and theheat deficit of the energy storage device 104. In one embodiment, thecontroller 102 increases or decreases the heating rate of the heater 108responsive to the power consumption signal in accordance with theembodiments described above. Additionally, the increase or decrease ofthe heating rate is weighted by the heat deficit. That is, when the heatdeficit is large, the controller will further increase (i.e., boost) theheating rate when the power consumption signal 124 indicates a desirefor energy to be consumed by the appliance 100. When there is a zeroheat deficit, a small heat deficit or a negative heat deficit (i.e.temperature of the medium exceeds the target temperature), thecontroller 102 does not provide this additional boost to the heatingrate.

FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating an example of this heat deficitdependence of the heating rate set by the controller 102 when the powerconsumption signal 124 indicates a desire for energy to be consumed. Asshown in FIG. 4, for a particular energy consumption signal 124, theheating rate increases responsive to an increase in the heat deficit.

The controller 102, may also operate in a similar, but opposite mannerwhen the heat deficit is negative, by decreasing the heating rate thatwould otherwise have been set based on the power consumption signal 124.

In one embodiment, the controller 102 is configured to output a signalindicating a remaining energy storage capacity 140, which is indicativeof the remaining energy storage capacity of the energy storage device104, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the remaining energystorage capacity 140 is indicative of the remaining amount of heat thatcan be stored by the heat storage medium 106. In one embodiment, theheat storage medium 106 has a maximum temperature (T_(MAX)), at whichthe energy storage device 104 can be safely operated. Thus, the “maximumtemperature,” as used herein, is defined by the operating parameters ofthe energy storage device 104. For example, water heaters typically havea maximum temperature of 170 degrees. Thus, the remaining energy storagecapacity 140 of each energy storage device 104 is directly related tothe difference between the current temperature of the heat storagemedium 106 and the maximum temperature of the heat storage medium 106.The maximum temperature of the heat storage medium 106 may be stored inthe memory 126 for access by the controller 102. The current temperatureof the heat storage medium 106 can be provided to the controller 102 bythe one or more temperature sensors 116 via the output signal 118.

In one embodiment, the controller 152 allows the temperature of the heatstorage mediums 106 of the energy storage devices 104 to exceed thetarget temperature for the device 104 in order to store additionalenergy when the energy storage capacity of the device 104 has not beenreached. This is particularly useful when there is an abundance ofexcess power 122 that is available for distribution by the system 114.In one embodiment, the controller 102 adjusts the heating rate of theheater 108 of the device 104 based on the remaining heat capacity forthe device 104 and the energy consumption signal 124.

In one embodiment, the electrical power distribution system 114 adjuststhe power consumption signal 124 responsive to the remaining energystorage capacity 140 output from the controller 102.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a power controlsystem 150, a simplified diagram of which is provided in FIG. 5. Thesystem 150 includes a system controller 152 and a plurality ofelectrical appliances 100, each comprising an energy storage device 104,in accordance with the embodiments described above with reference toFIG. 1. While only five appliances 100 are shown, it is understood thatthe system 150 may include more or fewer appliances 100 than that shown.

In one embodiment, each of the appliances 100 of the system 150 comprisean energy storage device 104 comprising a heat storage medium 106 and aheater 108 configured to heat the heat storage medium 106 at a heatingrate, as described above. In one embodiment, the appliances 100 eachinclude one or more temperature sensors 116 having a temperature signal118 that is indicative of a temperature of the heat storage medium 106.

The system 150 receives power 122 and the power consumption signal 124from the electrical power distribution system 114, embodiments of whichare described above. In one embodiment, the power 122 is supplied to theenergy storage devices 104. The power consumption signal 124 is suppliedto the controller 152.

In one embodiment, the controller 152 is remote from the appliances 100.In accordance with another embodiment, the controller 152 comprises oneor more controllers, such as controllers 102 of the appliances 100. Thecontroller 152 may comprise one or more processors that are configuredto execute program instructions for carrying out the functions describedherein, as discussed above with regard to controller 102. One embodimentof the system 150 includes a memory 126, which may include the programinstructions that are executable by the controller 152. In oneembodiment, the memory 126 includes preset heating rates 132 for each ofthe appliances 100 in the system 150. The preset heating rates for theappliances 100 may be different from one another.

In accordance with another embodiment, the memory 126 of the system 150includes target temperatures 134 for each of the appliances 100. As withthe preset heating rates 132, the target temperatures 134 may bedifferent for each of the appliances 100.

In one embodiment, the controller 152 sets or adjusts the heating rateof each of the energy storage devices 104 of the system 150 based on thepower consumption signal 124, in accordance with the embodimentsdescribed above. The heating rates of the heaters 108 of the devices 104can be adjusted in accordance with the embodiments described above withreference to FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the heating rates of the heaters 108 are adjustedresponsive to a power setting signal 156 communicated to the appliances100 of the system 150 from the controller 152. As with the signal 127,the power setting signal 156 may be communicated from the systemcontroller 152 to the appliances 100 of the system 150 over a network,through a physical communication link, through a wireless communicationlink, or using another suitable conventional data communicationtechnique. The power setting signal 156 may comprise multiple signalseach addressed to one of the appliances 100 of the system 150, inaccordance with conventional communication protocols.

In another embodiment, the controller 152 sets the heating rate of eachof the energy storage devices 104 of the system 150 based on the powerconsumption signal 124 and the temperature signals 118 corresponding tothe mediums 106 of the energy storage devices 104. In one embodiment,the controller 152 sets higher heating rates for the energy storagedevices 104 of the system 150 having lower temperature heat storagemediums 106 than the heating rates of the energy storage devices 104having higher temperature heat storage mediums 106. In one embodiment,such heating rate adjustments are dependent on a power consumptionsignal 124 that indicates a desire for energy to be consumed by theappliances 100.

FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating the temperatures of five energy storagedevices 104 of an exemplary system 150, in accordance with embodimentsof the invention. In one embodiment, the controller 152 sets a higherheating rate for heaters 108 of the energy storage devices 104 havingheat storage mediums 106 at a lower temperature than the heating ratesof the energy storage devices 104 having heat storage mediums 106 at ahigher temperature. As illustrated in FIG. 6, exemplary energy storagedevices (ESD's) 1 and 3 have heat storage mediums 106 at relatively lowtemperatures T₁ and T₃, respectively. In one embodiment, the controller152 adjusts the heating rate of the heaters 108 for the energy storagedevices 1 and 3 to a higher heating rate than that of the heaters 108for the energy storage devices 2, 4 and 5, because the temperature oftheir heat storage mediums 106 is higher than that of energy storagedevices 1 and 3. In one embodiment, such heating rate adjustments aredependent on a power consumption signal 124 that indicates a desire forenergy to be consumed by the appliances 100.

In accordance with one embodiment, each of the energy storage devices104 of the system 150 comprises a target temperature 134 that isindicative of a desired temperature for the corresponding heat storagemedium 106. In one embodiment of the system 150, the controller 152 setseach of the heating rates of the heaters 108 of the energy storagedevices 104 based on the target temperature corresponding to the device104. While FIG. 6 indicates that each of the energy storage devices 1-5have the same target temperature (T_(TARGET)), it is understood thateach of the energy storage devices 1-5 may have a different targettemperature than the other devices 104.

In one embodiment, each of the energy storage devices 104 of the system150 has a heat deficit that is based on a difference between the targettemperature for the device 104 and the temperature of the heat storagemedium 106 of the device 104, as indicated in FIG. 6. In one embodiment,the controller 152 sets higher heating rates for the heaters 108 of theenergy storage devices 104 having higher heat deficits than the heatingrates of the heaters 108 of the energy storage devices 104 having lowerheat deficits. Thus, in the exemplary system illustrated by FIG. 6, thecontroller 152 would adjust the heating rates of the heaters 108 of theenergy storage devices 1 and 3 to a higher heating rate than that of theheaters 108 of the energy storage devices 2, 4 and 5, because the heatdeficits of the devices 1 and 3 are larger than those of the devices 2,4 and 5.

In one embodiment, the controller 152 is configured to output a signalindicating a remaining energy storage capacity 140, which is indicativeof the remaining energy storage capacity of the energy storage device104, as illustrated in FIG. 5. As discussed above, the remaining energystorage capacity 140 is indicative of the remaining amount of heat thatcan be stored by the heat storage medium 106. In one embodiment, thecontroller 152 allows the temperature of the heat storage mediums 106 ofthe energy storage devices 104 to exceed the target temperature for thedevice in order to store additional energy, such as indicated by device4 in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the heating rateof the heaters 108 of the devices 104 based on a remaining heat capacitydefined as the difference between the maximum temperature (T_(MAX)) foreach device 104 and the temperature of the heat storage medium 106 ofthe corresponding device 104. In one embodiment, the controller 152 setshigher heating rates for the heaters 108 of the energy storage devices104 having higher remaining heat capacities than the heating rates ofthe heaters 108 of the energy storage devices 104 having lower remainingheat capacities. Thus, the heating rates of the heaters 108 of theenergy storage devices 1-3 and 5 would be set higher than the heat ratefor the energy storage device 4, which is has a lower remaining energystorage capacity. This is particularly useful when there is an abundanceof excess power 122 that is available for distribution by the system 114and the temperatures of one or more of the devices 104 are less thantheir maximum temperatures (T_(MAX)).

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method ofcontrolling the consumption of power from electrical power distributionsystem 114 by one or more energy storage devices 114. FIG. 7 is aflowchart illustrating one embodiment of the method. At 160, one or moreenergy storage devices 104 are provided. The energy storage devices 104are formed in accordance with the embodiments described above. In oneembodiment, the energy storage devices 104 each comprise a heat storagemedium 106 and a heater 108 that is configured to heat the heat storagemedium 106 at a heating rate.

At step 162, a controller, such as controller 102 (FIG. 1) and/orcontroller 152 (FIG. 5), in accordance with the embodiments describedabove. At step 164, a power consumption signal 124 is received from theelectrical power distribution system 114 using the controller. Next, atstep 166, the heating rate for each of the one or more energy storagedevices 104 is adjusted using the controller based on the powerconsumption signal 124, in accordance with the embodiments describedabove.

In accordance with one embodiment of the method, a temperature of theheat storage medium 106 of each of the one or more energy storagedevices 104 is sensed. In one embodiment, the energy storage devicesinclude one or more temperature sensors 116 that operate to sense thetemperature of the heat storage medium 106 and produce a temperatureoutput signal 118 that is indicative of the temperature of the heatstorage medium 106, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 1. Next, atarget temperature, such as target temperature 134, for each of the oneor more energy storage devices 104 is received. The target temperatureis indicative of a desired temperature of the heat storage medium 106for the corresponding energy storage device 104. Finally, the heatingrate for each of the one or more energy storage devices 104 is furtheradjusted using the controller based on the sensed temperature and thetarget temperature of the corresponding heat storage medium 106.

In accordance with another embodiment of the method, step 160 comprisesproviding a plurality of the energy storage devices 104. In oneembodiment, a heat deficit is calculated for each of the one or moreenergy storage devices 104. One embodiment of the calculation involvescalculating a difference between the sensed temperature and the targettemperature for the heat storage medium 106 of each of the energystorage devices 104. One embodiment of step 166 comprises adjusting theheating rates of the plurality of energy storage devices 104 based onthe calculated heat deficits.

Embodiments of step 166 include the heating rate adjusting techniquesdescribed above. In one embodiment, the heating rates of the heaters 108of the one or more energy storage devices 104 are adjusted by adjustinga duty cycle of a power supply signal 115 to the heaters 108 of the oneor more energy storage devices 104. In accordance with anotherembodiment, the heating rates for each of the one or more energy storagedevices 104 are adjusted by selectively activating or deactivating oneor more heating elements 110 (FIG. 1) of the heaters 108 of the one ormore energy storage devices 104.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in faun and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power control system configured to receiveelectrical energy from an electrical power distribution system, thesystem comprising: a plurality of energy storage devices, each energystorage device comprising: a heat storage medium; a heater configured toheat the heat storage medium; a temperature sensor that produces atemperature signal indicative of a temperature of the heat storagemedium; a maximum temperature operating parameter of the device; and auser-adjustable target temperature setting, which indicates a desiredtemperature of the heat storage medium and is less than the maximumtemperature; and a controller controls electrical energy consumption ofat least one of the energy storage devices to heat its heat storagemedium to a temperature that exceeds the target temperature setting andis below the maximum temperature as a function of: on a powerconsumption signal received from the electrical power distributionsystem, indicating a desire for energy to be consumed: and a differencebetween a remaining heat capacity of the energy storage device and theremaining heat capacity of at least another of the energy storagedevices.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the maximumtemperature of each of the at least one storage device is stored inmemory that is accessible by the controller.
 3. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the controller controls the energy storage deviceshaving higher remaining heat capacities to consume more energy than theenergy storage devices having lower remaining heat capacities.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein: the power consumption signalindicates a value; and the controller controls the electrical energyconsumption of the at least one energy storage device based on thevalue.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofthe electrical energy is generated using a renewable energy source.
 6. Amethod of controlling consumption of electrical energy from anelectrical power distribution system by at least one of the plurality ofenergy storage devices, each energy storage device including a heaterthat heats a heat storage medium, a user-adjustable target temperaturesetting, and a maximum temperature operating parameter, the methodcomprising: accessing a current temperature of the heat storage mediumof each energy storage device; accessing the maximum temperatureoperating parameter for each energy storage device from a memory;receiving a power consumption signal from the electrical powerdistribution system, the power consumption signal indicative of a desirefor electrical energy to be consumed, using a controller; andcontrolling the energy consumption of at least one of the energy storagedevices using the controller to heat its heat storage medium to atemperature that exceeds the target temperature and is below the maximumtemperature as a function of: the power consumption signal; and adifference between a remaining heat capacity of the energy storagedevice and the remaining heat capacity of at least another of the energystorage devices, wherein the remaining heat capacity of each energystorage device is different between the maximum temperature for thedevice and the temperature of the heat storage medium of the device. 7.The method according to claim 6, wherein accessing a current temperaturecomprises receiving a temperature signal from a temperature sensor. 8.The method according to claim 6, wherein accessing a current temperaturecomprises accessing the current temperature from memory.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein: the remaining heat capacity of eachdevice is a difference between the maximum temperature for the deviceand the temperature of the heat storage medium of the device.
 10. Themethod according to claim 6, wherein controlling the energy consumptionof at least one of the energy storage devices comprises controlling theenergy storage devices having higher remaining heat capacities toconsume more energy than the energy storage devices having lowerremaining heat capacities.
 11. The method according to claim 6, whereincontrolling the energy consumption of at least one of the energy storagedevices includes controlling the energy storage device to consumeelectrical energy generated from a renewable energy source.
 12. Themethod according to claim 6, wherein: the power consumption signalindicates a value; and controlling the energy consumption of at leastone of the energy storage devices comprises controlling the energyconsumption of the energy storage device based on the value.